New Haven Teen Charged in Two Attempted Burglaries

Hamden Police are warning residents to keep their homes and cars locked after they arrested a New Haven teenager early Tuesday morning for allegedly trying to break into homes and cars in the area of Mill Rock Road.

At about 2 a.m., police got a report of suspicious activity on Mill Rock Road, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith. 

When officers arrived, they found that the homeowner had woken up to find someone trying to get into the house through the front door.

The suspect then moved on to a neighbor's house, Smith said, trying to break in there through a back door. It was after that that Lt. Timothy Wydra said the person hiding under some brush at another Mill Rock Road home, Smith said, and took him into custody.

The suspect, a 17 year-old New Haven resident whose identity wasn't released because of his age, was charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit first-degree burglary and third-degree criminal trespass. He was released to the custody of his mother and is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven on June 18, Smith said. Officer Enrique Rivera-Rodriguez conducted the investigation.  

"The Hamden Police Department would like to remind residents to lock their doors and windows, prior to going to sleep," Smith said. "In addition, points of entry should be well lit if possible. With regards to motor vehicles, they should be locked and parked in an illuminated area. All valuables, including electronic equipment and small change should not be left inside of the vehicle." 

Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to Hamden Police at (203) 230-4000, Smith said.